“The divisions of Perspective are 3, as used in drawing; of these, the first includes the diminution in size of opaque objects; the second treats of the diminution and loss of outline in such opaque objects; the third, of the diminution and loss of colour at long distances.”
- April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519
- Italian
- A versatile man (painter, sculptor, architect, inventor, scientist, etc.)
- He created many works of art, including the paintings “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper,” and also left behind many pioneering ideas in science and engineering, such as “blueprints for airplanes” and “anatomical studies.”
Quote
“The divisions of Perspective are 3, as used in drawing; of these, the first includes the diminution in size of opaque objects; the second treats of the diminution and loss of outline in such opaque objects; the third, of the diminution and loss of colour at long distances.”
Explanation
In this quote, Leonardo da Vinci outlines the three key principles of perspective as it applies to drawing and visual representation. Perspective, for Da Vinci, is a way of representing three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface, and these principles help to create the illusion of depth and distance:
- The first division of perspective refers to the reduction in size of objects as they move away from the viewer. Objects that are closer to the viewer appear larger, while those farther away seem to shrink. This is the most basic element of perspective.
- The second division describes how the outlines of objects become less distinct as they recede into the distance. The edges of objects that are further away blur or fade, creating a sense of atmospheric perspective.
- The third division addresses the diminution and loss of color in distant objects. As objects move farther away, they tend to lose their vividness and saturation of color, becoming more muted or even shifting toward blues or grays due to the effects of the atmosphere.
Historically, this quote reflects Da Vinci’s deep understanding of visual perception and his pioneering work in developing realistic drawing techniques. During the Renaissance, the development of linear perspective was one of the most important advancements in visual art, allowing artists to create more accurate depictions of space and depth. Da Vinci, alongside other artists like Brunelleschi and Alberti, was instrumental in codifying and refining the rules of perspective.
In modern terms, this quote is still foundational to fields such as art, architecture, and design, where understanding perspective is essential to creating realistic or three-dimensional visual representations. These principles also apply to photography and cinematography, where the depth of field and color correction are used to guide the viewer’s perception of space. Da Vinci’s insight into the principles of perspective serves as a reminder of how the laws of vision and distance shape our understanding of the world, both in art and reality.
